Most of the Harley-based choppers I've seen seem to be based on the Softail frame. Why is this? Is there something about our Dynas that makes them unattractive as choppers?

Whiff

 

Says...

Orginal frames were rigid with the frame rails coming to a V configuration in the rear. The softtail frame immulates that original design.

 

Just my take on it. Yeah, there were plenty of Duo and hydraglide 'choppers' in the 60's and 70's but second hand knuckleheads's, hydraglides and WL/A's flatheads were just cheaper. Hell, Easy rider would have been a very different movie if Harley Davidson gave Peter Fonda 2 new '68 Hydraglides he asked for but was declined; instead, they bought 2 old pan head police hard tails and history was made.

You could say that the original FX's were the first factory chopper or 'custom' since they were based on the current FLH model chopped down to the bare essentials. Guys were chopping the twin shock bikes into super glides and wide glides years before Willie G. 'invented' them. The current Dyna continues this tradition today. All of these bikes are "battery box chassis choppers" of the 60's and 70's while the softails represent an earlier era i.e. late 40's and 50's. Both represent a different time in the grand history of the moco. All are cool.

 

Very [sm=interesting.gif]. Thanks for the history lesson fl_799.

 

Yes the classic chopper was a hardtail and yes the softail mimics that look, but I see more and more swingarm ext. shock customs these days. Seems that the dyna would be a better chopper choice with the perimeter frame.

 

One shining star was the Black Death bike in "Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man". IMO an awesome custom FXR.

 

This one was a Super Glide. A long time ago, in a land far, far away! IMO, looks better with the weld-on hardtail.



I do have a buddy that has one very similar that still has the shocks. I don't think it looks quite as good, but it rides a hell of a lot better!!